She Wanted to Make a Difference. With Her Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Degree, She Is.
Shelby Gardner
Master of Science in Nursing: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
Class of 2024
Shelby Gardner learned at an early age the impact nurses can have on their patients.
“When I was growing up, my grandmother was terminally ill and was in and out of the hospital a lot,” she recalls.
“She used to say that her day was better when she was being treated by certain nurses — ones who went the extra mile to give her dedicated care and were also there to support my whole family. And when she had those nurses, it made such a difference in her attitude.”
This early memory had a profound effect on Shelby and led to her decision to go into nursing.
“I wanted to be the one who made a hard situation better for somebody,” she says.
Rising Through the Ranks in Acute Care
After graduating from Methodist College of Nursing in 2017, Shelby quickly found her place in the fast-paced world of the cardiac ICU at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois.
Her role evolved as she took on greater responsibilities, becoming an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) pump specialist and eventually a charge nurse. But despite excelling in her role and loving her work, she reached a point where professional growth felt limited.
"I felt like I had achieved everything that role had to offer. There was always more to learn, but no new position to grow into within my current scope," she explains.
This realization became the turning point for Shelby, pushing her toward a new career goal—earning her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and expanding her professional capabilities.
Advancing Her Nursing Education with Bradley
When it came to choosing a school, Shelby says Bradely was the only university she seriously considered.
The local ties, familiarity with many instructors at OSF Saint Francis, and the reputation of Bradley's nursing program made the decision clear. Though Bradley's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care program was relatively new, its integration with local clinical experiences and knowledgeable faculty attracted Shelby.
Shelby decided to pursue adult-gerontology acute care as her nurse practitioner specialization, seeing it as a way to take on an even greater role treating patients in an acute setting.
"I worked closely with the providers in the ICU, and seeing how impactful they were made me realize I wanted that too. I needed to further my education to take my career in that direction," Shelby says.
Gaining the Confidence to Succeed
Shelby says that what stood out to her to most during her time at Bradley was the support she received from faculty and staff, and the program’s flexibility in allowing her to pursue her career goals.
These attributes became especially important in her final semester, as she earned a job offer to become a vascular surgery advanced practice nurse before she had even graduated.
"Bradley went above and beyond to accommodate me and help me prepare. They adapted my clinical placements mid-semester so I could get hands-on experience in my new role before officially starting the job," Shelby reflects. "This support boosted my confidence and prepared me to succeed in my advanced practice role."
She also credits her instructors for their guidance and responsiveness during pivotal moments. From coursework to clinical placements, Shelby always felt their encouragement to grow both academically and professionally.
Shelby adds that one of the aspects of the program she found most valuable was the board review class she took during her last semester. “In addition to the course content, they’re also preparing us to take and pass the boards, which I thought was very beneficial.”
A New Chapter as a Vascular Surgery APRN
After graduating from Bradley’s AGACNP program in December 2024, Shelby is now preparing for the next chapter in her nursing career, as a vascular surgery advanced practice nurse at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, the same hospital where her nursing career began.
Her new role combines the technical challenges of surgery with the ongoing care of critically ill patients.
"I’ll be assisting surgeons in the OR, treating patients in the ICU, and working on the floor. It’s the kind of complex, dynamic environment I enjoy," Shelby shares.
This role required Shelby's specialized training in adult-gerontology acute care, a testament to how mastering this focus can open unique career opportunities.
A Message to Aspiring Nurses
For nurses like Shelby, one decision — to pursue advanced education — opened a world of opportunities. Reflecting on her experience, Shelby offers this piece of advice to aspiring nurses considering Bradley University’s nursing program:
"Don’t hesitate. The support, flexibility, and quality of education at Bradley make achieving your goals manageable and exciting. If you’re looking for advancement and a program tailored to your success, this is the right place."
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